The elective residence visa and permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) allow non-EU nationals to live in Italy without working. You need an annual income from sources other than work, such as pensions, rents or annuities, of at least €31,000, increased by 20% for a spouse and by 5% for each child, accommodation in Italy and health insurance. With this permit you cannot carry out any kind of work.
Guide updated in October 2026.
In this official guide I explain how to obtain the elective residence visa and residence permit: one of the entry visas most sought after by wealthy foreign nationals who wish to live a peaceful life in Italy without working.
What distinguishes the elective residence visa and residence permit is precisely the absolute ban on working, whether as an employee or self-employed, together with substantial financial means.
What is elective residence?
The elective residence visa is designed specifically for people who are financially stable and therefore do not need to work, and who can prove they hold significant liquid funds and assets that generate passive income (pensions, rented properties, income from shares and bonds).
The passive nature of the income is a fundamental and distinctive requirement of the elective residence permit, which prohibits any form of self-employment or employment.
What are the requirements for the elective residence visa?
The most important requirements for obtaining the visa, and then the elective residence permit, are as follows:
- accommodation in Italy, owned or properly rented;
- an annual income from sources other than work (pensions, rents, annuities) of at least €31,000, increased by 20% for a spouse and by 5% for each child, equal to three times the amount set out in “Table A of the Ministry of the Interior of 01/03/2000”;
- medical insurance with cover of at least €30,000 and full cover for hospital costs;
- a confirmed travel itinerary.
I always like to point out that, especially for the elective residence visa, which is reserved for individuals with substantial financial resources, the Italian Embassy has wide discretionary power.
Exceeding the €31,000 annual income threshold is in fact only the minimum requirement for being considered and does not guarantee that you will obtain the elective residence visa. It is all the other evidence of financial means you can produce that will tip the balance in your favour.
Which documents do you need for the elective residence permit?
The documents for applying for the elective residence visa and, later, the elective residence permit are practically the same, and are intended to prove that you meet the requirements described above:
- national visa application form;
- one colour passport-size photograph;
- valid passport (and a copy);
- proof of accommodation in Italy, through a registered tenancy agreement or title deed;
- documented and detailed proof of substantial, consistent and stable financial resources from private income (pensions or annuities), property, income from securities or stable business activities.
Remember that the financial resources must be available independently of any day-to-day work, so income from self-employment or employment cannot be taken into account.
Useful documents for this purpose include company accounts, bank documents proving income from guarantees, property title deeds, tenancy agreements for properties you own, business licences, and so on.
You must also always include:
- payslips for the last 12 months (if any);
- personal bank statements for the last 12 months;
- credit card statements for the last 12 months;
- international medical insurance covering the entire stay with minimum cover of €30,000 and full, unlimited cover for hospitalisation, including emergency repatriation flights and repatriation of remains;
- confirmed flight booking or itinerary;
- the €116 fee for the elective residence visa application.
Let me stress again that the documents proving your financial means are of fundamental importance. The elective residence permit is in fact granted, with wide discretion on the part of the Embassy, only to very wealthy people whose money comes from activities not linked to day-to-day work.
What is the procedure for the elective residence permit?
Now that you know the requirements and documents for the elective residence visa, it is time to understand the steps to take to obtain the entry visa and move to Italy permanently.
The elective residence visa
As with any long-term stay, to apply for the elective residence permit you first need to obtain the elective residence visa, which is issued by the Italian Consulate responsible for your area of residence abroad.
Once you have checked that you meet the requirements and have gathered all the documents, you can book an appointment at the Italian Consulate to hand in the necessary documents.
First application for the elective residence permit
If you are granted the elective residence visa, you can enter Italy and apply for your first elective residence permit at the immigration office of the Questura (police immigration office) responsible for your area.
Remember to comply with the rules on the first entry of a foreign national, especially if you have a stopover in another Schengen country, as explained in detail in our dedicated guide to the declaration of presence.
Renewing the elective residence permit
The first elective residence permit is valid for one year; after that it may be granted for two years. It can be renewed for as long as the requirements for its issue continue to be met, and these must be proven at each renewal.
After five years of residence, the elective residence permit can also be converted into an indefinite residence permit, as explained in this dedicated guide.
How much does the elective residence permit cost?
In addition to the €116 fee payable to the Embassy for the elective residence visa, you will need to pay a further €116.46 for the issue of the elective residence permit (of which €16 for the marca da bollo (revenue stamp), €30 for sending the kit postale (postal application kit) and €40.46 for the postal payment slip for a one-year permit).
How long do the elective residence visa and permit take?
Italian bureaucracy is known to be rather slow. It takes up to a maximum of three months for the elective residence visa to be issued and from 3 to 7 months, depending on the Questura, for the residence permit to be issued.
However, you need not worry, as you are allowed to live in Italy throughout the waiting period, during which you will be given a receipt confirming that your stay is lawful.
Can you apply for family reunification with an elective residence permit?
The elective residence permit allows family reunification just like all other types of residence permit, as provided by Article 28 of the TUI (Testo Unico Immigrazione, the Consolidated Immigration Act), for the spouse, minor children or dependent adult children, and dependent parents or parents over 65 if any other children in the country of origin are unable to support them.
Please also note that Decreto Legge (Decree-Law) 145/2024 introduced a minimum legal residence of two years as a requirement for applying for reunification with a spouse, adult children and parents.
The procedure for family reunification with the holder of an elective residence permit always involves applying for the nulla osta (entry clearance) from the Prefettura (Prefecture) which, if granted, allows the Italian Embassy to issue the visa.
Need help with your application? Contact SH Immigration Specialists.
This content provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.
